Electric trouble light



Dec. 20, 1949 DE GRACE 2,491,552

ELECTRIC TROUBLE LIGHT Filed July 26, 1946 JMW Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to tools and more particularly to an electric tool holder having means for interchangeably mounting difierent types of implements.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel tool adapted to be quickly connected to a battery such as may be used in an automobile or shop for various purposes.

Another object is to provide a novel holder for different interchangeable implements, such as light bulbs and soldering electrodes or the like.

And a further object is to provide in a tool, a novel clip arrangement adapted to serve as an electrical socket or holder for different electrically operated implements.

Other objects and many particular advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference character in the description refer to like reference characters for the several parts of the invention illustrated in the drawing.

Figure 1 is a side longitudinal cross section of the novel tool showing an electric bulb mounted in the adjustable socket or clip portion thereof.

Figure 2 is a side view of the socket clip.

Figure 3 is a view of a carbon electrode, such as may be mounted in the socket in place of the electric bulb.

Figure 4 shows a ground connection for use with the electrode.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a handle ill formed of insulation, such as hard rubber, synthetic resin, such as phenolformaldehyde condensation product generally known as Bakelite or other suitable material. The handle contains a central longitudinal bore i i through which extends a wire or cable 12 for com nection to a source of electric current such as may be supplied by a storage battery for exam- 1 pie. The cable I2 extends from the rear of the handle H] for several feet and is bent around a screw M on the end of a metal clip I 5. The other end of the cable !2 is similarly secured to a secnd similar metal clip l6 which is mounted by a screw I! in the front end of the handle It in a socket connected with the bore H.

The clips 15 and l 6 may be of any suitable type, such. as the wellknown alligator type, see Fig. 2, comprising a pair of gripping jaws l8 and It pivoted together, with a handle extension 25.! carried by jaw is and a spring 2| adapted to normally bias or urge jaws together.

Mounted in the side of the handle near the front end thereof in a socket 22 is a combined hanger for the tool and ground connection for the tool when operating a lamp. This hanger comprises a flat rod 23 with a hooked end 24, from which a wire may be connected to ground the socket connection, while the other end has a projection 25 extending at right angles to the axis of the rod 23 seated in the socket 22. Threadedly mounted in the rod 23 is a threaded bolt 21 adapted to thread into the body of the handle ill intermediate the socket 22 and this front tip end of the handle I I]. This bolt 21 when threaded into the handle at this point serves to secure the trod 23 to the handle [0.

The flat rod 23 is resilient and when the flat side thereof near its free hooked end 24 engages with the base of an electric light bulb or lamp 28, it is yieldable in cooperation with the jaws of the holder clip it.

Thus a firm electrical socket connection is made by the jaws I! and I8 and the rod 23.

To use the tool as a trouble light the clip I5 is connected to the positive battery terminal of an automobile and the hook 24 may be hung over any suitable part of the automobile in proximity of the parts to be worked on with the lamp 28 in the jaws i8 and IQ of clip l6.

Other implements may be clamped between the jaws, such as the carbon electrode 30 shown in the drawing. This electrode 30 fits between the jaws with its base 3! on the flat rod 23 in a similar manner to the lamp 28.

For use as a soldering tool an additional wire connector, see Fig. 4, is provided with terminal clips on each end to connect from the hook 24, so as to ground the socket connection through the automobile frame or direct to the battery.

When a circuit is completed by the clip l6, and the connecting wire 52 in the handle bore I l current flows to the electrode 30, and it becomes heated for use as soldering tool, or the like.

Thus I have provided a very simple tool, economical to manufacture and of but few parts of rugged and durable character, which can be "used by simply clipping the same into an electrical circuit of an automobile, for example, or to the terminal posts of a storage battery in the work shop.

While I have illustrated and described my invention in detail for only one embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that changes which may oc our to others skilled in the art ar also to be considered as part of my invention.

What I claim is:

A holder for an electrically operated unit such as an incandescent lamp having a metal base terminal and a central base contact, comprising a relatively long handle body of insulation material havin a socket in one end, a relatively long spring clip having two coacting jaws at one end and having its other end secured in said socket whereby the clip extends longitudinally from the end of the handle, the Jaws being adapted to receive and grip the metal base of said unit, an electric current cqnductqr electnicallyiconnected at one end with the saidmther endpi'the 01m, a relatively long flat resilient current conducting strip positioned at one end against the side of the handle at the said socketed end of the handle and extending longitudinally of the handle-dnspaced relation with a side of the clip, the othernndi lfie end of said strip terminating in a position relative to said jaws to be electrically-contactedwith the center base terminal of the unit secured tween the jaws, a hook member of electric conduc n m te i .Qa-rr edh the said oth end if said t ip upon t s th eo QPRQsite from said clip jaws, said hook member serving the double function of a suspension means for the holder and a means for connecting an electric current conductor with the strip.

CARL TOM DE GRACE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ll #Qf this: patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS gN imber Name Date 1,395,819 Guy Nov. 1, 1921 1584;648 Jenkins Feb. 26, 1924 1,492,657 Walker May 6, 1924 1,494,596 Erwin May 20, 1924 15551 9729 Burn-s Sept. 1, 1925 1,651,305 Wilkinson Nov. 29, 1927 1,888,906 Colosoff Nov. 22, 1932 2,175,844 Laystrom Oct. 10, 1939 2,28%);187 Gardner July 7, 1942 

